How about you?

I’m know that when you’re stressed it’s probably not a good idea to reach for booze or rich foods but I inevitably crave something comforting. In fact food shouldn’t be the primary way you cope with these feelings although we can all admit we’ve done it at least once.

Anyone who follows me on Twitter has seen my meal time tweets and knows they’re mostly healthy so I don’t feel bad revealing my stress snacks.

I’ve heard that eating foods that ‘crunch’ help to combat stress. Apparently the act of clenching your jaw and the satisfying snap of the food in your mouth calms you down. Can any nutrition bloggers confirm this?

If that’s true then celery would be a good choice. Did you know that you burn more calories by simply chewing celery than is contained in it? Nice!

I go for crunch and carbs (anything deep-fried gets bonus points)… lol, great example with my lunch today… i had 1/2 serve of hot chips… and then felt the guilt and am trying to counter it with a kid-sized Boost juice!

@Shez – I do like pretzels!
@FFichiban – Mmm meat – lamb and duck are up there for me.
@Dragon – I can’t deny that cream has a very special place in my heart too.
@Jen – Oooh, I loooove hot chips! With gravy!
@Jackie – Sad, but true. Salty stuff is very munchable!

I’m all about braised fatty cuts of meat like pork belly to warm me up and cheer my spirits. A glass of vodka/wine/sake never hurts either:-) I guess I’m weird like that in that chocolate or sweet don’t really help my mood (though I do love them).

Pink Monkey definitely needs warm soothing goodness when she’s stressed. Right now she’s drinking a hot green milk tea and she feels much more relaxed.

Other times it’s bowls of salty congee, plates of penne with a tasty tomato sauce, korean soft tofu soups, rum raisin bread pudding or anything else warm and good that will make her sleepy and take a nice long nap.